Flamingos forward Oluebube Umejiaku has become the first African player to win the Golden Ball at the Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup.

Following Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Academy (Pitch 3) in Salé, where Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 to claim their first-ever U17 Women’s World Cup title, Fifa announced Umejiaku as the winner of the prestigious individual award.

The 16-year-old’s achievement sees her emulate Vicky López, the Spain international of Nigerian descent who claimed the Golden Ball in 2022.

Umejiaku scored what proved to be the decisive goal in Nigeria’s victory over Japan, finding the net in the 47th minute to help the Flamingos secure the historic triumph.

She finished the tournament with four goals, having also scored against Poland, North Korea and Mexico.

North Korea’s Yu Jong-hyang and Japan’s Fuki Ito received the Silver Ball and Bronze Ball awards respectively.

Meanwhile, the Golden Boot went to the United States’ Maddie DiMaria, North Korea goalkeeper Kim Son-gyong claimed the Golden Gloves while Japan received the Fair Play Trophy.